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Mark 12:13-17
13 And they sent to him some of the Pharisees and some of the Herodians, to trap him in his talk. 14 And they came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are true and do not care about anyone's opinion. For you are not swayed by appearances, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?” 15 But, knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, “Why put me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” 16 And they brought one. And he said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said to him, “Caesar's.” 17 Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” And they marveled at him.
Watch the Sermon
Summary: In light of the coming election, I want to speak about the relationship between being a good citizen of human government while also being a good citizen of God’s government. In our passage, Jesus gives us wisdom on the nature of this often-difficult relationship. As it is a challenge in our day, so it was in Jesus' day. This wisdom comes to us through the conflict that we see between the religious leaders and Jesus, just days before he is crucified. Jesus gives clear legitimacy to human government as a gift of God but rightly places it under the ultimate authority of God's government. Please prayerfully consider the questions below.
Review & Apply
What is unique about who is sent in the attempt to trap Jesus in verse 13? Why do you think that the Pharisees and the Herodians are working together in this way?
How are they trying to trap Jesus? What do the questions they ask in verse 14 reveal about their true intentions?
How do we see the sin of man on display in this passage?
Why does Jesus ask for a denarius? How does he use it to share His wisdom?
What does it mean to "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's?" (v.17a)
What does it mean to render to "God the things that are God's?" (v.17b)
How do we see the sovereignty of God on display in this passage?
When do you think it would it be okay for Christians to disobey the human government that God has sovereignly put over them?
How can we, as Christians, show that we are unified in Christ, even if we differ on political opinions/issues?
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